Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Project

JDC’s Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Status Project helps undocumented children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents begin the process of obtaining lawful permanent residency. As a volunteer attorney, you will represent a child in San Francisco Superior Court to secure the necessary SIJ Findings. Your role concludes once these findings are obtained—JDC’s Immigration Department handles the remainder of the immigration process. The case involves a single court appearance and typically requires a commitment of 15–20 hours over a 4 to 6-month period, depending on the court schedule.

Family Preparedness Clinic (for mixed status families threatened with deportation of parents)

Volunteer attorneys are needed for our Family Preparedness Clinic, which supports mixed-status immigrant families in planning for the care of their U.S. citizen children in the event of deportation. Volunteers will assist parents with completing legal documents such as the Nomination of Guardian and Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit, and help families gather key records—including proof of residence and employment, translated birth certificates, and school and medical information—to ensure children remain safe and parents have the documents needed for deportation defense and to access their finances. Training, materials, and language support are provided; no experience required.

CORP – DEI Compliance Clinic

JDC offers a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Compliance Clinic to support nonprofit organizations in California with understanding and meeting their legal and ethical obligations related to DEI. Volunteer attorneys will assist nonprofits in reviewing and developing policies, bylaws, hiring practices, and board governance structures to promote inclusivity and ensure compliance with applicable state and federal non-discrimination laws.

Learn More About Pro Bono Opportunities